title: [Thrombolysis for acute stroke--a nationwide analysis of regional medical care].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aims at investigating ischaemic stroke therapy in Germany by using secondary data. The focus lies on the performance of thrombolysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statutory quality report data for 2010 were obtained. All hospitals (n = 1302) treating patients suffering from an ischaemic stroke either on a neurological, internal, geriatric or intensive care unit were analysed. The treatment situation, defined as the experience in performing thrombolysis, was displayed cartographically. Potential variables that may influence the thrombolysis rate were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  78 % of the 198,500 ischaemic stroke cases were treated on a ward specialised in the stroke treatment (i. e., a stroke unit). The mean thrombolysis rate in neurological departments was 9.1 %. Thrombolysis rates between departments ranged from 0 to 38 %. Significant factors influencing the thrombolysis rate were the total number of ischaemic strokes treated as well as the existence of a stroke unit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Germany, to date regional differences in the treatment of ischaemic stroke exist. Experience in the treatment of ischaemic stroke patients and the availability of a stroke unit both increase the thrombolysis rate. Data suggest that in Germany there is still room for improvement of appropriate ischaemic stroke treatment.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinsoziologie, Versorgungsforschung und Rehabilitationswissenschaft (IMVR) der Universität zu Köln.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scholten
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pfaff
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Karbach
mesh_terms: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D016014:Linear Models; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator